Prestigious Day For Mansfield Football Program

April 29, 2006

The Mansfield University football program had an unusually busy afternoon on Saturday, April 29. As they do every year, the Mounties suited up to play in the annual spring football Red and Black game. This year marked the 115th consecutive spring game, dating back to the first ever spring football game played in the United States.

The 2006 spring game was not the only highlight of the day however. Earlier that morning, football players, and coaches as well as Mansfield faculty and Alumni gathered for the Butsko Breakfast in North Manser dining hall. The Frank Butsko award is presented to an outstanding offensive lineman at the breakfast, as the award honors former Mansfield assistant football coach Frank Butsko, who was killed in an automobile accident while on a recruiting visit.

As a special honor at this year's award breakfast, ESPN Radio and Mansfield University graduate Freddie Coleman was the master of ceremonies at the event. Coleman, an All-PSAC selection at wide receiver while at Mansfield, came back "home" for this year's spring game. Freddie is an inspirational story for Mansfield student-athletes, reminding them all that big things can come from a Mansfield education, as he can now be heard nationally as the host of ESPN Gamenight Thursday thru Sunday night.

The Butsko award was presented to three-time All-PSAC East selection Jamar Foulks in recognition of his outstanding play last year. Last year's winner, Lucas Ingersoll, was also on hand for the presentation of the award.

The award was presented by the first ever recipient of the Butsko Award, Rod Pursell. Pursell also teamed up with the previous Butsko winners to present the football program with a $1600.00 donation to endow the Butsko Memorial Scholarship.

One award presentation was not enough for this year's breakfast, as Earnest "Pooh Bear" McNeal was presented with the All Time Career Rushing Record as well. McNeal, who broke the school rushing record last season while still a junior, was given a commemorative ball marked with his accomplishment. More special than the award, was the fact that his family flew in from Florida to be here for the presentation and the game. McNeal proved to an impressively large crowd at Karl Van Norman Field that he is ready for his senior season, as he rushed for the game's only touchdown in an impressive 21 yard burst to the end zone. McNeal will look to add to his rushing record in the fall.

Also presented at the breakfast, was the first annual Austin Snyder Alumni Appreciation Award. The award, presented by head coach Jim Shiffer and Director for the Development of Athletics, Alex Ogeka, was presented to Mansfield Alumni Austin Snyder for his outstanding support of the Mountaineer football program. The award will carry his name for future winners.

A stellar crowd turned out Saturday afternoon at Karl Van Norman field for the 115th playing of the Mansfield Red and Black spring game. With the sun shining on a gorgeous day, fans, families, students and alumni were treated to a preview of the 2006 Mountaineer football season.

The game setup is simple: two 15 minute halves with a continuous running clock, and it is offense versus defense. The point system is a little more complex however. The offense scores one point for first downs, and extra points, six points for a touchdown, and three points for a field goal. The defense scores six points for a touchdown, three points for a fumble recovery, three points for an interception, and one point for a third down stop.

With quarterbacks wearing red jerseys that mark them as un-hittable, the game is quite informal yet quite informative. Most notably, key offensive contributors from last season, Pooh Bear McNeal and quarterback John Hengehold look to be in good shape going into summer training, and a defense that struggled for much of the 2005 season, looks to be far improved already with Andre Turner and Jon Mattis looking ready to go.

Many members of the 2006 recruiting class were on hand to enjoy the afternoon of football and begin bonding with their soon-to-be teammates. Members of the recruiting class were introduced by Athletics Director Roger Maisner at halftime of the game, as a welcoming for the new players to the Mansfield Athletic and Academic communities as well as an introduction to the fans.

For more information and details on the 2006 spring game, including stats and scores, check out the Mansfield sports homepage at Sports Information.

Below you can find pictures from the 2006 Butsko awards breakfast and the spring football game.